Method and apparatus for making a drawn article

ABSTRACT

A die block, a shearing die, means for causing relative movement between the die block and the shearing die to shear an article from a blank of material when the blank is disposed therebetween, a ram, and means for causing relative movement between the ram and the die block to draw the sheared article into a drawn shape, the die block and shearing die having cooperating drawing surfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of the sheared article and from between which the sheared article is adapted to be drawn by the drawing operation of the ram and the die block. The apparatus has means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the drawing surfaces of the die block and the shearing die during the entire drawing operation of the sheared article therefrom so as to tend to prevent adverse ears at the outer peripheral edge of such drawn article.

United States Patent Cvacho et al. 1 Dec. 5, 1972 [54] METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson MAKING A DRAWN ARTICLEAssistant Examiner-R. M. Rogers [72] Inventors: Daniel s. Cvacho; Harryw. Lee, Attorney-Glenn, Palmer, Lyne, Gibbs & Thompson Jr., both ofRichmond, Va. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: kgynolds 'Metals Company Adie block, a shearing die, means for causing relative Rlchmond movementbetween the die block and the shearing die [22] Filed; On, 28, 1970 toshear an article from a blank of material when the blank is disposedtherebetween, a ram, and means for [2!] App! 84650 causing relativemovement between the ram and the i die block to draw the sheared articleinto a drawn 52 us. Cl ..72/336, 72/350 shape, the die block andshearing die having cooperat- 51] int. Cl ..B21d 38/00, 821d 22/00 sdrawing surfaces for respectively engaging against h 336', 350 opposedsides of the sheared article and from between [58] Flam of Sean l whichthe sheared article is adapted to be drawn by the drawing operation ofthe ram and the die block. [56] I References Clted The apparatus hasmeans for maintaining a predeter- UNITED STATES PATENTS mined spacingbetween the drawing surfaces of the dieblock and the shearing die duringthe entire drawing Candee operation of he s eared article therefrom soas to 3,435,653 Scaletta.... tend to prevent adverse ears at the outerperipheral 3,395,562 8/1968 Bushi ..72/350 edge of Such drawn article.

913,841 3/1909 Opsal .72/336 28 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED HEB5 I912 SHEET 1 0F 6 FIG.

INVENTORS DANIEL S. C CHO HARRY W. 8Y5

E, JR.

THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEU DEC 5 I972 SHEET-2 0F 6 LEE, JR.

mkfm IN VENTORS DANIEL S.CVACHO HAgRY W.

91%, LITE/"1M Q1443 Q /L THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHE 5 I912 3.704.618

r 1' 5 E? THEIR ATTORNEYS INVENTORS DANIEL S. CVACHO HARRY W. LEE JR. 98BYg L [%?N,

PATENTED 5 3,704,618

sum [1F 6 FIG.7

INVENTORS DANIEL S. CVACHO HARRY W. LEE JR.

THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDuEc 5 I972 SHEET 6 [1F 6 INVENTO RS CVACHO E,JR.

DAN

THEIR ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A DRAWN ARTICLEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of drawn and ironedcontainer bodies each having a cylindrical side wall means and anintegral bottom wall means, each such drawn and ironed can body isnormally made from a cup-shaped member subsequently drawn and ironed ina drawing and ironing apparatus.

The cup-shaped article has been formed by having a circular article cutfrom a flat blank of material and drawing such circular article into acup shape by suitable press structure.

However, it has been found that many of the previously proposedapparatus and methods for making such cup shape articles for subsequentdrawing and ironing into container bodies produced relatively sharp earsof material at the upper open ends of the cup-shaped articles whichwould tear off in the drawing and ironing apparatus to foul the toolingthereof sothat the apparatus would subsequently produce defective drawn.and ironed container bodies.

SUMMARY This invention provides an improved method and apparatus formaking drawn cup-shaped articles wherein the aforementioned sharp carsat the upper open ends thereof are substantially eliminated.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a die block and a cooperatingshearing die together with means causing relative movement between thedie block and the shearing die to shear an article from a flat blank ofmaterial when the same is disposed therebetween. The apparatus includesa ram and means for causing relative movement between the ram and thedie block to subsequently draw the sheared article into a drawn shape.The die block and the shearing die have cooperating drawing surfaces forrespectively engaging against opposed sides of the sheared article andfrom between which the sheared article is adapted to be drawn by thedrawing operation of the ram and die block. The apparatus has means formaintaining a predetermined spacing between the drawing surfaces of thedie block and the shearing die during the entire drawing operation ofthe sheared article therefrom whereby the aforementioned adverse sharpears on the open end of the drawn article is substantially eliminated bythis invention.

Other details, uses and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent as the following description of the explemary embodimentthereof is presented in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show thepresent exemplary embodiment of this invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the improved apparatus of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the cup-shaped article that is madeby the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with parts thereoftaken in cross section.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the structure for raising andlowering the bolster of the apparatus of FIG. 3, FIG. '4 being takensubstantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of one of thecorners of the bolster structure of FIG. 4.

FIG.- 6 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view takensubstantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrates the apparatus inanother operating position thereof.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the shearingdie, ram and die block of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in one of theoperating positions thereof.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus in aninitial drawing operation thereof.

FIG. .10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus inthe final drawing operation thereof.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus in adrawn article stripping operation thereof. I

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the crankshaftstructure of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3,the improved method and apparatus of this invention is generallyindicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises an apparatus base 21carrying suitable support posts 22 that pass through a stationary butadjustable bolster 23 disposed above the base 21 and support an upperstationary frame structure 24 above the bolster 23. In addition,suitable crankshaft supporting frame means 25 is supported by the posts22 above the frame means 24 with such crankshaft supporting means 25supporting suitable main drive motor means 26 for driving the apparatus20 in a manner hereinafter described.

The apparatus 20 is adapted to form a plurality of cup-shaped articles27, FIG. 2, each having a cylindrical side wall means 28, a closedbottom wall means 29 and an open upper end wall means 30, each article27 being formed from a strip of flat blank material 31 fed through theapparatus 20 and not having the adverse sharp ears at the open end 30thereof as previously described.

In particular, the strip of blank material 31, formed from suitableblank material, such as aluminum and the like, is fed from a suitablesupply roll thereof (not shown) over a guide roller 32, FIG. 3, andunder a guide roller 33 rotatably disposed in a suitable reservoir 34 oflubricating material for continuously lubricating the sheet 31 as thesame passes through the lubricating tank 34 for a subsequent drawingoperation thereon, the sheet 31 passing out through the nip of suitableguide rolls 35 and 36 and looped around a guide roll 37 and through thenip formed by the roller 37 and another guide roller 38 so as to belooped back toward the apparatus 20 and passed through the nip of apair'of guide rollers 39 and 40 thereof, the strip 31 thus passingthrough the apparatus 20 and being suitably sheared into circulararticles in a manner hereinafter described with the skeleton of theblank strip 31 passing out to the left of the apparatus 20 throughsuitable guide rollers and 41.

The bolster 23 has suitable openings 42 passing therethrough andtelescopically receiving the support posts 22 therethrough whereby thebolster 23 is adapted to be moved vertically upwardly and downwardly onthe posts 22 from the full line operating position of FIG. 3 to thelower dotted line position of FIG. 3 for die change and othermaintenanceoperations. For example, the bolster 23 is supported on thebase 21 by a plurality of jack screws 43 each being adapted to be drivenin unison by suitable hydraulically operated jack motors 44 to eitherraise or lower the bolster 23 relative to the base 21, FIG. 4schematically illustrating a suitable hydraulic system 45 for operatingthe jack motors 44 whereby hydraulic fluid from a main supply line 46 isadapted to be directed by a solenoid operate valve means 47 in one oftwo flow directions to the motor means 44 to cause raising or loweringof the jack screws 43 and, thus, raising and lowering of the bolster 23.

The bolster 23 has an upper surface 48 suitably recessed at 49 toreceive die blocks 50 therein, the bolster 23 for the apparatus beingadapted to receive four die blocks 50 of which only two such blocks 50and 50A are illustrated in front and back relation when viewing the sideof the apparatus 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 while FIGS. 6-10illustrate the operation of only the front die block 50. Therefore, itwill be appreciated that the following description relating to theillustrated front die block 50 applies also to the other three dieblocks as well as to the other structure that cooperates with the otherdie blocks.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the die block 50 has an upper surface 51 thatis substantially annular and flat for engaging against the under side152 of theblank 31 for a purpose hereinafter described, the holding orengaging surface 51 of the die block 50 terminating at a sharp rightangle shearing edge 52 that is interconnected with a lower flat annulardrawing surface 53 of the die block 50. A die opening 54 passes throughthe die block 50 and interrupts the upper drawing surface 53 thereof aswell as the lower surface 55 of the die block 50 to be in alignedrelation with an opening 56 passing through the bolster 23 thatinterconnects the die block recess 49 thereof with a lower surface 57 ofthe bolster 23. The opening 54 through the die block 50 defines adrawing surface 58 adjacent the flat drawing surface 53 with the surface58 having an arcuate cross section as illustrated in FIG. 8. Anotherannular drawing surface 59 is defined by the opening 54 at the lowersurface 55 of the die block 50 with the lower drawing surface 59defining a right angle 60 with the lower surface 55 thereof whereby theedge 60 of the drawing surface 59 projects slightly inwardly around theopening 56 in the bolster 23 for stripping the cup-shaped article 27from the apparatus 20 in a manner hereinafter described so that thecompleted article 27 can pass out of the opening 56 of the bolster 23and be deposited on the upper run 61 of a continuous conveyor belt 62looped around a pair of rollers 63 and 64, FIG. 3. In this manner thestripped article 27 can be conveyed from right to left in FIG. 3 on theconveyor belt 62 through the apparatus 20 and through suitable slotmeans 65 formed in bolster 23 to a discharge chute 66 out of the lowerend 67 of which the cup-shaped articles 27 are discharged from theapparatus 20 into the desired supporting structure. Such dischargedcup-shaped articles 27 are then useable in the aforementioned drawingand ironing apparatus for forming the closed end container bodies.

The stationary frame means 24 of the apparatus 20 which is supported inthe support posts 22 of the apparatus 20 above the bolster 23 has fourdownwardly projecting cylindrical guides 68 provided with internal slidebearing means 69 and outside slide bearing means 70 against which ashearing die carrier 71 is adapted to reciprocate in a vertical manner.

The shearing die carrier 71 is interconnected to a plurality of rods 72,FIG. 3, which pass through suitable openings 73 in the stationary framemeans 24 and are respectively interconnected by suitable pivot pins 74to crank arms 75 with each crank arm 75 being interconnected to a throwor cam 76 of a crankshaft.

For example, reference is made to FIG. 12 wherein a crankshaft 77 isprovided and is interconnected at its left hand end 78 to a suitablegear 79 that is disposed in meshing relation with another gear 79A thatis interconnected to a crankshaft 77A formed in the same manner as thecrankshaft 77. The crankshaft 77 has a pair of throws or cams 76 thereonfor respectively interconnecting to two of the cranks 75 whereby theother crankshaft 77A has like eccentrics or cams for interconnecting tothe other two cranks 75 for raising or lowering the shearing die carrier71 relative to the bolster 23. The cam shaft 77 also has a pair oflarger throws or cams 80 respectively separated from the smaller throwsor cams 76 by bearing portions 81 of the cam shaft 77 whereby the camshafts 77 and 77A can be mounted in suitable bearing means in the framemeans 25 to be rotated by the motor means 26 and through the gearing 79and 79A to rotate in unison to operate the apparatus 20 in a mannerhereinafter described.

A stationary frame means 24 hasupwardly directed parts 82 provided withsuitable slide bearing means 83 and on which a suitable ram carrier 84is mounted for sliding movement relative to the frame means 24, the ramcarrier 84 being interconnected by a plurality of suitable pivot pins 85to cranks 86 respectively interconnected to the, large cams or throws 80of the crankshafts 77 and 77A whereby rotational movement of thecrankshafts 77 and 77A will cause reciprocating movement of the ramcarrier 84 relative to the stationary frame 24. V

The ram carrier 84 carries a plurality of rams 87 each being receivedrespectively in a cylindrical portion 68 of the stationary frame means24 to slide relative to the bearing means 69 thereof depending upon themovement of the ram carrier 84 relative to the bolster 23 by thecrankshafts 77 and 77A for a purpose hereinafter described.

The shearing die carrier 71 has a plurality of openings 88 interruptingthe lower surface 89 thereof with each opening 88 being positioned forcooperating with a respective ram 87 and a die block 50 as illustratedin FIG; 6. A shearing die structure 90 is disposed in each opening 88and has an outwardly directed piston flange 91 adapted to seal againstan internal peripheral surface 92 of the shearing die carrier 71 andabut against an internal shoulder 93 thereof, the piston flange 91 beingmaintained against such shoulder 93 by air pressure acting against theupper side 194 of the shearing die assembly 90 so that the shearing dieor assembly 90 will follow the movement of the shearing die carrier 71.Each shearing die assembly 90 has an opening 94 passing therethrough andreceiving its cooperating ram 87 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, each shearing die 90 has a lower annularsurface 95 at the opening 94 thereof which is adapted to cooperate withthe surface 53 of the die block 50 in a manner hereinafter set forth,the annular surface 95 terminating at a right angle annular shearingsurface 96 of the shearing die 90 that is adapted to cooperate with theshearing surface 52 of the die block 50. The shearing surface 96 issurrounded by an annular flat holding surface 97 of the shearing die 90that is adapted to cooperate with the holding surface 51 of thecooperating die holder 50.

The drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of each set of shearing dies 90 and dieblock 50 are so constructed and arranged that when the surfaces 95 and53 are disposed together, the holding surfaces 97 and 51 thereof arespaced from each other a predetermined amount for a purpose that will beapparent hereinafter.

The shearing die carrier 71 has a movable blank stripper 98 for each ram87 and comprising an annular member surrounding each shearing die 90 andbeing carried on a plurality of posts 99 threaded to the shearing diecarrier 71 and having enlarged heads 100 whereby each stripper 98 isurged outwardly relative to the shearing die carrier 71 by compressionsprings 101 each being carried about the posts means 99 as illustratedin FIG. 8.

The operation of the apparatus as well as the method of this inventionwill now be described.

With the crankshafts 77 and 77A being in a rotational position thereofthat maintains the shearing die carrier 71 and rams 87 in an up positionas illustrated in FIG. 6, the blank sheet 31 is indexed from right toleft through the apparatus 20 in FIG. 3 so that unblanked portionsthereof are disposed over the guide blocks 50. Thereafter, thecrankshafts 77 and 77A cause the shearing die carrier 71 to movevertically downwardly because of the throws or earns 76 acting on thecrank arms 75 whereby the strippers 98 first engage against the sheet 31so as to prevent further downward movement thereof as illustrated inFIG. 8 while the die assembly 90 and shearing guide carrier 71 movefurther vertically downwardly relative to the strippers 98 and have thesurface 95 thereof engage against the blank 31. At this time, theshearing surfaces 96 and 52 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50cooperate together and shear a circular article 103 from the blank 31which is moved downwardly against the annular drawing surface 53 of theblock 50 and against which the drawing surface 95 of the shearing die 90will engage in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9. However, it can be seenthat such downward movement of the shearing die 90 is limited by theannular holding surface 97 thereof clamping against the upper surface102 of the blank 31 as illustrated in FIG. 9 whereby the shearing die 90homes in on the blank 31 so as to limit the movement thereof downwardlyand thereby predetermine the resulting spacing that results between thedrawing surfaces 95 and 53 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50 asillustrated in FIG. 9.

For example, it has been found that when the gap being maintainedbetween the surfaces 97 and 51 of the shearing guide 90 and die block 50by the blank 31 being inserted therein in the manner illustrated in FIG.9 is approximately 0.018 of an inch, the same creates a spacing betweenthe drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of approximately 0.0l6 of an inch toeliminate the adverse sharp ears at the open end 30 of the subsequentlydrawn article 27 I The crankshafts 77 and 77A of the apparatus 20 are soconstructed and arranged that the larger throws thereof cause the rams87 to move downwardly with the shearing dies so that when the respectivecircular article 103 has been cut and sheared from the blank 31 in themanner illustrated in FIG. 8, the cooperating ram means 87 continues tomove further downwardly to draw the sheared article 103 through the dieblock 50 to form the cup-shaped article 27 by drawing the cut article103 from between the drawing surfaces and 53 of the shearing die 90 anddie block 50 as well as through the drawing surfaces 58 and 59 of thedie block 50 to create the cup-shaped article 27 which is moved belowthe die block 50 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10 when the ram 87completes its downward stroke. Because the natural resiliency of thedrawn article 27 resulting in the cup configuration of FIG. 10 tends tospring slightly outwardly at the open end 30 thereof as the same travelsbeyond the drawing surface 59 of the die block 50, the outer peripheraledge 104 of the drawn article 27 springs outwardly beneath the edge 60of the bottom surface 55 of the die block 50 so that subsequent upwardmovement of the ram 87 by the crankshaft in the manner illustrated inFIG. 11 causes the drawn article 27 to be stripped from the ram 87 andpermit the same to pass out of the apparatus 20 to the left on theconveyor means 62 previously described.

As previously stated, it has been found according to the teachings ofthis invention that by providing a controlled spacing between thedrawing surfaces 95 and 53 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50during the drawing of the drawn article 103 therefrom by the ram 87, noresulting sharp ears are provided on the outer peripheral edge 30 of thedrawn article 27 which will cause fouling of the tooling in the drawingand ironing apparatus that utilizes the drawn article 27 to form thedrawn and ironed container body previously described.

Further, by having the shearing die 90 home in on the blank material 31,the spacing between the drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of the shearing die90 and die block 50 is fully related to the thickness of the die blankmaterial 31 in a controlled and predetermined manner.

While each shearing die assembly 90 is held against the flange 93 of theshearing die carrier 71 to tend to substantially follow uniform movementtherewith, the air pressure acting against the upper side 194 of eachshearing die assembly 90 fully permits the shearing die 90 to moverelative to the shearing guide 71 should the downward movement of theshearing guide 71 not be completed when the downward movement of theshearing die 90 has been completed by abutting against the blank 31'orby an inadvertent construction being provided between the shearing dieassembly 90 and the die block 50.

In this manner, the crankshafts 77 and 77A can be utilized to provide adouble action for the apparatus 20 in a direct acting manner for boththe shearing die means 90 and the ram means 87 thereof. Thus, while onlyfour die means 90 and rams 87 have been illustrated and described, it isto be understood that one set or any number of dies 90 and rams 87 canbe utilized.

Accordingly, it can be seen that this invention not only provides animproved apparatus for drawing an article from a blank of material, butalso this invention provides an improved method for drawing such anarticle.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention, and methods forpracticing the same, have been illustrated and described, it will berecognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied andpracticed within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: r

1. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of material havinga particular thickness comprising a die block, a shearing die, means forcausing relative movement between said die block and said shearing dieto shear said article from said blank when said blank is disposedtherebetween, a ram, and means for causing relative movement betweensaid ram and said die block to draw said sheared article into a drawnshape, said die block and said shearing die having cooperating drawingsurfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of said shearedarticle and from between which said sheared article is adapted to bedrawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, saidapparatus having means maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing betweensaid drawing surfaces of said die block and saidshearing die during saidentire drawing operation of said sheared article therefrom.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaininga predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said dieblock and said shearing die comprises stop means to terminate themovement between said shearing die and said die block, with said fixedspacing being less than said particular thickness and always fullyrelated thereto to provide a controlled drawing of said article.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stop means comprisescooperating stop surfaces on said shearing die and said die block.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid stop surfaces areadapted to engage and hold said blank therebetween during said entiredrawing operation whereby the thickness of said blank controls saidfixed spacing.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stop surfaces are soconstructed and arranged that when holding said blank therebetween saiddrawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die are closertogether than said stop surfaces.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said die block and saidshearing die having cooperating shearing surfaces for shearing saidarticle from said blank, said shearing surfaces respectively beingdisposed intermediate said stop surfaces and said drawing surfaces ofsaid die block and shearing die.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said surfaces of said dieblock and said shearing die are annular with said drawing surfaces beingdisposed inboard of the other surfaces whereby said die block and saidshearing die are adapted to shear a circular article from said blank andwhereby said ram and said die block are adapted to draw said circulararticle into a cup shape.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaininga predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die blockand said shearing die is adapted to maintain said spacing narrower thanthe thickness of said blank.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaininga predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die blockand said shearing die comprises means on said die. block and saidshearing die homing on said blank during the shearing thereof.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said die block isstationary and said shearing die and said ram move relative thereto.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for causingrelative movement between said shearing die and said die block comprisesa crankshaft rotatably carried by said apparatus and operativelyinterconnected to said shearing die to cause reciprocating movement ofsaid shearing die relative to said die block during rotational movementof said crankshaft.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for causingrelative movement between said ram and said die block comprises saidcrankshaft also being operatively interconnected to said ram to causereciprocating movement of said ram relative to said die block duringrotational movement of said crankshaft.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said apparatus hasanother die block and cooperating shearing die and ram operativelyinterconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the same manner as thefirst named shearing die and ram during rotationof said crankshaft. p

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said apparatus hasanother rotatable crankshaft and another pair of die blocks andcooperating shearing dies and rams operatively interconnected to saidother crankshaft to be reciprocated thereby relative to said other pairof die blocks as said other crankshaft rotates.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said die block has a topand'a bottom surface and an opening passing through said top and bottomsurfaces and through which said ram draws said article, said top surfacedefining the drawing surface of said die block and said bottom surfacebeing adapted to strip said drawn article from said ram after saiddrawing operation.

16. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of materialcomprising a die block, a shearing die, a ram arranged concentricallywithin said shearing die in telescoped relation, and a crankshaftrotatably carried by said apparatus and being operatively interconnectedto said shearing die and to said ram to cause reciprocating movementthereof relative to said die block while said crankshaft rotates, saidcrankshaft being adapted to cause said shearing die to cooperate withsaid die block to shear said article from said blank and then beingadaptedto cause said ram to telescope through said shearing die andcooperate with said die block to draw said sheared article in a drawnshape.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said apparatushas anotherdie block and cooperating shearing die and ram operativelyinterconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the same manner as thefirst named shearing die and ram during rotation of said crankshaft.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said apparatus hasanother rotatable crankshaft and another pair of die blocksand'cooperating shearing dies and rams operatively interconnected tosaid other crankshaft to be reciprocated thereby relative to said otherpair of die blocks as said other crankshaft rotates.

article into a drawn shape, said die block and said shearing die havingcooperating drawing surfaces respectively engaging against opposed sidesof said sheared article and from between which said sheared article isdrawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, andmaintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfacesof said die block and said shearing die during said entire drawingoperation of said sheared article therefrom.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining apredetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said dieblock and said shearing die comprises the step of terminating themovement between saidshearing die and said die block with stop means,with said fixed spacing being less than said particular thickness andalways fully related hereto to provide controlled drawing of saidarticle.

22. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said stop means comprisescooperating stop surfaces on said shearing die and said die block.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said stop surfaces engageand hold said blank therebetween during said entire drawing operationwhereby the thickness of said blank controls said fixed spacing.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said drawing surfaces ofsaid die block and said shearing die are spaced closer together thansaid stop surfaces during said drawing operation.

25. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said die block and saidshearing die having cooperating shearing surfaces shearing said articlefrom said blank, said shearing surfaces respectively being disposedintermediate said stop surface and said drawing surfaces of said dieblock and shearing die.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said step of shearing saidarticle from said blank comprises the step of shearing a circulararticle from said blank whereby said ram and said die block draw saidcircular article into a cup shape.

27. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining apredetermined spacing between said shearing die on said blank during theshearing thereof.

1. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of material havinga particular thickness comprising a die block, a shearing die, means forcausing relative movement between said die block and said shearing dieto shear said article from said blank when said blank is disposedtherebetween, a ram, and means for causing relative movement betweensaid ram and said die block to draw said sheared article into a drawnshape, said die block and said shearing die having cooperating drawingsurfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of said shearedarticle and from between which said sheared article is adapted to bedrawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, saidapparatus having means maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing betweensaid drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die duringsaid entire drawing operation of said sheared article therefrom. 2.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining apredetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said dieblock and said shearing die comprises stop means to terminate themovement between said shearing die and said die block, with said fixedspacing being less than said particular thickness and always fullyrelated thereto to provide a controlled drawing of said article. 3.Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stop means comprisescooperating stop surfaces on said shearing die and said die block. 4.Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said stop surfaces are adaptedto engage and hold said blank therebetween during said entire drawingoperation whereby the thickness of said blank controls said fixedspacing.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stop surfacesare so constructed and arranged that when holding said blanktherebetween said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearingdie are closer together than said stop surfaces.
 6. Apparatus as setforth in claim 4 wherein said die block and said shearing die havingcooperating shearing surfaces for shearing said article from said blank,said shearing surfaces respectively being disposed intermediate saidstop surfaces and said drawing surfaces of said die block and Shearingdie.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said surfaces of saiddie block and said shearing die are annular with said drawing surfacesbeing disposed inboard of the other surfaces whereby said die block andsaid shearing die are adapted to shear a circular article from saidblank and whereby said ram and said die block are adapted to draw saidcircular article into a cup shape.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between saiddrawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die is adapted tomaintain said spacing narrower than the thickness of said blank. 9.Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining apredetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die blockand said shearing die comprises means on said die block and saidshearing die homing on said blank during the shearing thereof. 10.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said die block is stationaryand said shearing die and said ram move relative thereto.
 11. Apparatusas set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for causing relativemovement between said shearing die and said die block comprises acrankshaft rotatably carried by said apparatus and operativelyinterconnected to said shearing die to cause reciprocating movement ofsaid shearing die relative to said die block during rotational movementof said crankshaft.
 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidmeans for causing relative movement between said ram and said die blockcomprises said crankshaft also being operatively interconnected to saidram to cause reciprocating movement of said ram relative to said dieblock during rotational movement of said crankshaft.
 13. Apparatus asset forth in claim 12 wherein said apparatus has another die block andcooperating shearing die and ram operatively interconnected to saidcrankshaft to operate in the same manner as the first named shearing dieand ram during rotation of said crankshaft.
 14. Apparatus as set forthin claim 13 wherein said apparatus has another rotatable crankshaft andanother pair of die blocks and cooperating shearing dies and ramsoperatively interconnected to said other crankshaft to be reciprocatedthereby relative to said other pair of die blocks as said othercrankshaft rotates.
 15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein saiddie block has a top and a bottom surface and an opening passing throughsaid top and bottom surfaces and through which said ram draws saidarticle, said top surface defining the drawing surface of said die blockand said bottom surface being adapted to strip said drawn article fromsaid ram after said drawing operation.
 16. Apparatus for making a drawnarticle from a blank of material comprising a die block, a shearing die,a ram arranged concentrically within said shearing die in telescopedrelation, and a crankshaft rotatably carried by said apparatus and beingoperatively interconnected to said shearing die and to said ram to causereciprocating movement thereof relative to said die block while saidcrankshaft rotates, said crankshaft being adapted to cause said shearingdie to cooperate with said die block to shear said article from saidblank and then being adapted to cause said ram to telescope through saidshearing die and cooperate with said die block to draw said shearedarticle in a drawn shape.
 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 whereinsaid apparatus has another die block and cooperating shearing die andram operatively interconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the samemanner as the first named shearing die and ram during rotation of saidcrankshaft.
 18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein saidapparatus has another rotatable crankshaft and another pair of dieblocks and cooperating shearing dies and rams operatively interconnectedto said other crankshaft to be reciprocated thereby relative to saidother pair of die blocks as said other crankshaft rotates.
 19. ApparatusaS set forth in claim 18 wherein said two crankshafts are operativelyinterconnected together to rotate in unison.
 20. A method for making adrawn article from a blank of material having a particular thicknesscomprising the steps of, disposing said blank between a die block and ashearing die, causing relative movement between said die block and saidshearing die to shear said article from said blank, causing relativemovement between a ram and said die block to draw said sheared articleinto a drawn shape, said die block and said shearing die havingcooperating drawing surfaces respectively engaging against opposed sidesof said sheared article and from between which said sheared article isdrawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, andmaintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfacesof said die block and said shearing die during said entire drawingoperation of said sheared article therefrom.
 21. A method as set forthin claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining a predetermined fixedspacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and saidshearing die comprises the step of terminating the movement between saidshearing die and said die block with stop means, with said fixed spacingbeing less than said particular thickness and always fully relatedhereto to provide controlled drawing of said article.
 22. A method asset forth in claim 22 wherein said stop means comprises cooperating stopsurfaces on said shearing die and said die block.
 23. A method as setforth in claim 22 wherein said stop surfaces engage and hold said blanktherebetween during said entire drawing operation whereby the thicknessof said blank controls said fixed spacing.
 24. A method as set forth inclaim 23 wherein said drawing surfaces of said die block and saidshearing die are spaced closer together than said stop surfaces duringsaid drawing operation.
 25. A method as set forth in claim 24 whereinsaid die block and said shearing die having cooperating shearingsurfaces shearing said article from said blank, said shearing surfacesrespectively being disposed intermediate said stop surface and saiddrawing surfaces of said die block and shearing die.
 26. A method as setforth in claim 25 wherein said step of shearing said article from saidblank comprises the step of shearing a circular article from said blankwhereby said ram and said die block draw said circular article into acup shape.
 27. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step ofmaintaining a predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces ofsaid die block and said shearing die comprises the step of maintainingsaid spacing narrower than the thickness of said blank.
 28. A method asset forth in claim 27 wherein said step of maintaining a predeterminedspacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and saidshearing die comprises the step of homing said die block and saidshearing die on said blank during the shearing thereof.